Sterility cover for medical device surface

ABSTRACT

A disposable bag for maintaining sterility of a medical instrument having a detection mechanism and cable extending from the detection mechanism,
         wherein the bag comprises:   a pair of flexible sheets comprised of a polymeric material,   the pair of sheets being arranged in parallel to each other and sealed along opposing lateral sides that extend longitudinally from a top end to a bottom end,   the cable having a selected length such that upon insertion of the detection mechanism through the enclosed interior chamber of the bag, the cable extends longitudinally through the open bottom end,   the bag being adapted to be attached to at least a portion of the cable that extends from the detection mechanism downstream toward the open bottom end.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/991,666 entitled Serially DeliverableCover For Medical Device Surface, filed May 12, 2014, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Medical devices, instruments, implements and the like are commonly usedby doctors, nurses and health care providers generally on multiplepatients. Devices such as stethoscopes, blood pressure measurementdevices, electrodes and the like are used to make contact with someportion of the surface of multiple patients one after the other withoutthought for sterilization in advance of use or, if sterilization isimmediately available for use, is ignored by the health care providerdue to the seemingly low risk of contamination of the device being used.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Health care providers and physicians often see how hospitalization canbe harmful to a subject's health. The number of hospital acquiredinfections are quite alarming. Health care providers are typically verycareful to hand wash their hands between attending to successivepatients. Health care providers often isolate patients with veryresistant infections and sanitize the room when the infected patient isdischarged. Notwithstanding such precautions, a major culprit inspreading infection between successive patients is the stethoscope.Health care providers put it around their necks in close proximity totheir own exhaled breath.

Stethoscopes physically touch every patient that a health care providernormally sees and rarely is a stethoscope cleaned with alcohol. In atypical day in a hospital every patient is seen by at least 3-4 nurses(due to shift changes), 1-3 physicians (depending on whether aspecialist are involved or not), 2-3 nurse's aids (taking vital signs),and possibly a few respiratory therapists. This number is much higher inteaching hospitals because of exposure to medical students and studentnurses. The stethoscope touches one patient up to 10 times a day. Thismeans just by random chance a single patient can actually have contactwith a total stranger in another floor of the hospital more than oncewithout ever knowing it. Covers for stethoscopes have been devised buthave not been practicable in the mechanisms, if any, for accessibilityor ease of use.

Although bags or covers have been used for covering stethoscopes such asdisclosed in U.S. patent publication no. 20120010517, such prior bags ordevices cannot dispose the examination detection head in any givenposition within the bag and cannot ensure that the detection mechanismor the cable extending from the detection mechanism will remain in thebag in a stable location or otherwise once inserted.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a disposable bag 10for maintaining sterility of a medical instrument 283, the instrument283 comprising an elongated cable 280 having a cable length LL and adetection mechanism 39 for engagement with an examination surface of asubject to be examined for a signal generated by the subject through theexamination surface, the elongated cable 280 being interconnected to thedetection mechanism 39 at a proximal end of the cable for transmitting asignal generated by the detection mechanism 39 to a distal end 280 e ofthe cable,

wherein the bag 10 comprises:

a pair of flexible sheets 50, 60 comprised of a polymeric material, thesheets having a thickness through which the detection mechanism 39 cansense the signal generated by the subject when the detection mechanismis held in engagement against the examination surface with one of thesheets 50, 60 disposed between the detection mechanism and theexamination surface,

the pair of sheets being arranged in parallel to each other and sealedalong opposing lateral sides 52, 62 that extend longitudinally LO from atop end 40 to a bottom end 57, 61, the top end 40 being sealed and thebottom end 57, 61 being open such that the sheets form an enclosedinterior chamber 55 with an open longitudinal bottom end for insertionof the detection mechanism into and longitudinally LO through theenclosed interior chamber 55 a selected insertion distance from the openbottom end 57, 61 toward the sealed top end 40,

one 50 of the pair of sheets being longer longitudinally than the other60 of the pair sheets forming a flap 59 that extends from the one longersheet to a longer bottom edge 57 that extends longitudinally beyond ashorter bottom edge 61 of the other of the pair of sheets,

the bag 10 having a selected longitudinal length LL relative to thecable length such that upon insertion of the detection mechanism 39through the enclosed interior chamber 55 along the selected insertiondistance, the cable extends longitudinally LO from the detectionmechanism 39 through the enclosed interior chamber 55 and furtherthrough the open bottom end to at least the longer bottom edge 57 of theone longer sheet 50,

the flap 59 being adapted to be attached 47 h, 47 p, 300, 304 to atleast a portion 280 es of the cable that extends from the detectionmechanism to at least the longer bottom edge 61 such that the detectionmechanism is held within the enclosed interior chamber 55 by saidattachment 47 h, 47 p, 300, 304.

The flap 59 can have a layer of adhesive material 300, 304 disposed onan interior surface of the flap in a selected two dimensional patternand the cable has an outside surface 280 es that is adhesivelyattachable to the adhesive material, the layer of adhesive materialbeing disposed on the interior surface 59 is of the flap in anarrangement such that at least a portion of the outside surface 280 esof the cable that extends to at least the longer bottom edge 61 of theone longer sheet of the bag is manually compressible against at least aportion of the adhesive layer and adhesively attachable thereto.

The flap typically has a lateral width W, the adhesive material beingdisposed on the interior surface 59IS of the flap 59 in an arrangementsuch that the adhesive material extends laterally LAT alongsubstantially the entire lateral width W of the flap.

A thin sheet or strip of non-adhesive material 302 that is complementaryto the selected two dimensional pattern of the adhesive material istypically deposited over and adhered to the layer of adhesive material300, 304, the thin sheet or strip being adapted to be readily peeled off302 e of the adhesive material by hand.

The cable can have a hook 47 h connected 47 m, 47 c to the cable 280,the hook 47 h including a puncture member 47 p that is adapted toreadily puncture through the flap 59 on application of manual forcedirecting the puncture member 47 p against the interior surface 59 is ofthe flap, the hook 47 h being connected 47 m, 47 c to the cable at aposition downstream from the detection mechanism.

The pair of sheets can be sealed together between the opposing lateralsides 52, 62 and the top and bottom ends along one or more seam lines34, 36, 34 a, 34 b, 36 b, 36 c that are arranged in a pattern thatengage and hold the detection mechanism to define the selected insertiondistance of the detection mechanism when the detection mechanism isinserted through the open bottom end longitudinally through the enclosedinterior chamber 55 toward the top end 40 as far as the detectionmechanism can be moved longitudinally.

The seam lines are typically arranged in a pattern that engage and holdthe detection mechanism to define a maximum distance of longitudinalinsertion against travel toward the top end when the detection mechanismis inserted through the enclosed interior and moved toward the top endwithin the interior as far toward the top end as the detection mechanismcan be moved.

The one or more seam lines are preferably disposed between the sides ofthe bag in an arrangement that slidably engages the detection mechanismwhen the detection mechanism is inserted through the enclosed interiorand moved toward the top end.

The detection mechanism typically has a longest dimension of certaindistance, the seam lines being disposed between the sides of the bag amaximum distance apart from each other or from the sides of the bag,that is less than the distance of the longest dimension of the detectionmechanism such that the detection mechanism engages against and is heldby the seam lines on longitudinal insertion.

The seam lines preferably comprise a pair of separate lines formed asmirror images 34, 36 of each other around a longitudinal center C of theenclosure, the seam lines being arranged such that the detectionmechanism is routed between the seam lines on longitudinal movement ofthe detection mechanism from the bottom end toward the top end.

The seam lines typically form a generally triangular or conical spacebetween the seam lines within the interior of the enclosure.

The triangular or conical space is preferably truncated at its top end.

The sealed top end is typically attached along a line of perforations30, 32 to a manifold 15, the perforations enabling manual tearing awayof the bag from the manifold.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a In another aspectof the invention there is provided a method of examining a patient witha medical instrument having a cable and detection mechanism as describedimmediately above wherein the detection mechanism detects a selectedsignal generated by patient, the method comprising inserting thedetection mechanism in a bag as described immediately above, attachingthe cord to the layer of adhesive material and examining the patientwith the detection mechanism inserted in the bag.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a disposable bagfor maintaining sterility of a medical instrument, the instrumentcomprising an elongated cable having a cable length and a detectionmechanism for engagement with an examination surface of a subject to beexamined for a signal generated by the subject through the examinationsurface, the elongated cable being interconnected to the detectionmechanism at a proximal end of the cable for transmitting a signalgenerated by the detection mechanism to a distal end of the cable,

wherein the bag comprises:

a pair of flexible sheets comprised of a polymeric material, the sheetshaving a thickness through which the detection mechanism can sense thesignal generated by the subject when the detection mechanism is held inengagement against the examination surface with one of the sheetsdisposed between the detection mechanism and the examination surface,

the pair of sheets being arranged in parallel to each other and sealedalong opposing lateral sides that extend longitudinally from a top endto a bottom end, the top end being sealed and the bottom end being opensuch that the sheets form an enclosed interior chamber with an openlongitudinal bottom end for insertion of the detection mechanism intoand longitudinally through the enclosed interior chamber a selectedinsertion distance from the open bottom end toward the sealed top end,

the pair of sheets each having an interior surface facing each other,one or the other of the interior surfaces having a layer of adhesivematerial disposed thereon in a selected two dimensional pattern at alongitudinal position between the top and bottom ends such that theadhesive material on an interior surface of one sheet opposes and canmake contact with the interior surface of an opposing sheet,

the bag having a selected longitudinal length relative to the cablelength such that upon insertion of the detection mechanism through theenclosed interior chamber along the selected insertion distance, thecable extends longitudinally from the detection mechanism through theenclosed interior chamber and further through the open bottom end to atleast the longer bottom edge of the one longer sheet,

the cable having an outside surface that is adhesively attachable to theadhesive material, the layer of adhesive material being disposed on theinterior surface of the flap at a selected longitudinal position lessthan the selected insertion distance in an arrangement such that atleast a portion of the outside surface of the cable that extends fromthe detection mechanism longitudinally to at least the selectedlongitudinal position of the adhesive material is manually compressibleagainst and adhesively attachable to the adhesive material.

The adhesive material of such a bag can be disposed on both of theinterior surfaces of the opposing sheets of the bag in the selected twodimensional pattern.

The pair of sheets of such a bag are typically sealed together betweenthe opposing lateral sides and the top and bottom ends along one or moreseam lines that are arranged in a pattern that engage and hold thedetection mechanism to define the selected insertion distance of thedetection mechanism when the detection mechanism is inserted through theopen bottom end longitudinally through the enclosed interior chambertoward the top end as far as the detection mechanism can be movedlongitudinally.

Such a bag typically has a lateral width, the adhesive material beingdisposed on or the or the other or both of the interior surfaces of theopposing sheets in an arrangement such that the adhesive materialextends laterally along substantially the entire lateral width.

A thin sheet or strip of non-adhesive material that is complementary tothe selected two dimensional pattern is preferably deposited over andadhered to the layer of adhesive material, the thin sheet or strip beingadapted to be readily peeled off of the adhesive material by hand.

The seam lines of such a bag are preferably arranged in a pattern thatengage and hold the detection mechanism to define a maximum distance oflongitudinal insertion against travel toward the top end when thedetection mechanism is inserted through the enclosed interior and movedtoward the top end within the interior as far toward the top end as thedetection mechanism can be moved.

The one or more seam lines of such a bag are preferably disposed betweenthe sides of the bag in an arrangement that slidably engages thedetection mechanism when the detection mechanism is inserted through theenclosed interior and moved toward the top end.

The detection mechanism of such a bag preferably has a longest dimensionof certain distance, the seam lines being disposed between the sides ofthe bag a maximum distance apart from each other or from the sides ofthe bag, that is less than the distance of the longest dimension of thedetection mechanism such that the detection mechanism engages againstand is held by the seam lines on longitudinal insertion.

The seam lines of such a bag preferably comprise a pair of separatelines formed as mirror images of each other around a longitudinal centerof the enclosure, the seam lines being arranged such that the detectionmechanism is routed between the seam lines on longitudinal movement ofthe detection mechanism from the bottom end toward the top end.

The seam lines typically form a generally triangular or conical spacebetween the seam lines within the interior of the enclosure.

The triangular or conical space is preferably truncated at its top end.

The sealed top end of such a bag can be attached along a line ofperforations to a manifold, the perforations enabling manual tearingaway of the bag from the manifold.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofexamining a patient with a medical instrument having a cable anddetection mechanism as described immediately above wherein the detectionmechanism detects a selected signal generated by patient, the methodcomprising inserting the detection mechanism in a bag as describedimmediately above, attaching the cord to the layer of adhesive materialand examining the patient with the detection mechanism inserted in thebag.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a disposable bagfor maintaining sterility of a medical instrument, the instrumentcomprising an elongated cable having a cable length and a detectionmechanism for engagement with an examination surface of a subject to beexamined for a signal generated by the subject through the examinationsurface, the elongated cable being interconnected to the detectionmechanism at a proximal end of the cable for transmitting a signalgenerated by the detection mechanism to a distal end of the cable,

wherein the bag comprises:

a pair of flexible sheets comprised of a polymeric material, the sheetshaving a thickness through which the detection mechanism can sense thesignal generated by the subject when the detection mechanism is held inengagement against the examination surface with one of the sheetsdisposed between the detection mechanism and the examination surface,

the pair of sheets being arranged in parallel to each other and sealedalong opposing lateral sides that extend longitudinally from a top endto a bottom end, the top end being sealed and the bottom end being opensuch that the sheets form an enclosed interior chamber with an openlongitudinal bottom end for insertion of the detection mechanism intoand longitudinally through the enclosed interior chamber a selectedinsertion distance from the open bottom end toward the sealed top end,

one of the pair of sheets being longer longitudinally than the other ofthe pair sheets forming a flap that extends from the one longer sheet toa longer bottom edge that extends longitudinally beyond a shorter bottomedge of the other of the pair of sheets,

the bag having a selected longitudinal length relative to the cablelength such that upon insertion of the detection mechanism through theenclosed interior chamber along the selected insertion distance, thecable extends longitudinally from the detection mechanism through theenclosed interior chamber and further through the open bottom end to atleast the longer bottom edge of the one longer sheet,

wherein the flap has a layer of adhesive material disposed on aninterior surface of the flap in a selected two dimensional pattern andthe cable has an outside surface that is adhesively attachable to theadhesive material, the layer of adhesive material being disposed on theinterior surface of the flap in an arrangement such that at least aportion of the outside surface of the cable that extends to at least thelonger bottom edge of the one longer sheet of the bag is manuallycompressible against at least a portion of the adhesive layer andadhesively attachable thereto.

The flap of such a bag typically has a lateral width, the adhesivematerial being disposed on the interior surface of the flap in anarrangement such that the adhesive material extends laterally alongsubstantially the entire lateral width of the flap.

A thin sheet or strip of non-adhesive material that is complementary tothe selected two dimensional pattern is preferably deposited over andadhered to the layer of adhesive material, the thin sheet or strip beingadapted to be readily peeled off of the adhesive material by hand.

The pair of sheets of such a bag are typically sealed together betweenthe opposing lateral sides and the top and bottom ends along one or moreseam lines that are arranged in a pattern that engage and hold thedetection mechanism to define the selected insertion distance of thedetection mechanism when the detection mechanism is inserted through theopen bottom end longitudinally through the enclosed interior chambertoward the top end as far as the detection mechanism can be movedlongitudinally.

The seam lines of such a bag are preferably arranged in a pattern thatengage and hold the detection mechanism to define a maximum distance oflongitudinal insertion against travel toward the top end when thedetection mechanism is inserted through the enclosed interior and movedtoward the top end within the interior as far toward the top end as thedetection mechanism can be moved.

The one or more seam lines of such a bag are preferably disposed betweenthe sides of the bag in an arrangement that slidably engages thedetection mechanism when the detection mechanism is inserted through theenclosed interior and moved toward the top end.

The detection mechanism preferably has a longest dimension of certaindistance, the seam lines being disposed between the sides of the bag amaximum distance apart from each other or from the sides of the bag,that is less than the distance of the longest dimension of the detectionmechanism such that the detection mechanism engages against and is heldby the seam lines on longitudinal insertion.

The seam lines of such a bag preferably comprise a pair of separatelines formed as mirror images of each other around a longitudinal centerof the enclosure, the seam lines being arranged such that the detectionmechanism is routed between the seam lines on longitudinal movement ofthe detection mechanism from the bottom end toward the top end.

The seam lines preferably form a generally triangular or conical spacebetween the seam lines within the interior of the enclosure.

The triangular or conical space is preferably truncated at its top end.

The sealed top end is typically attached along a line of perforations toa manifold, the perforations enabling manual tearing away of the bagfrom the manifold.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofexamining a patient with a medical instrument having a cable anddetection mechanism as described immediately above wherein the detectionmechanism detects a selected signal generated by patient, the methodcomprising inserting the detection mechanism in a bag as describedimmediately above, attaching the cord to the layer of adhesive materialand examining the patient with the detection mechanism inserted in thebag.

The present invention also provides a collection of enclosed bagssequentially arranged in a stack, one-next-to-each-other commonlyattached to a support that can be readily hung on a rail or otherstationary support in an examination room. Each individual bagpreferably comprises two opposing sheets attached along two opposingcontinuous edges of polymer material and attached at one closed end tosuccessive manifold portions of plastic material which in turn areattached to the support.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for preventingcontact between the ambient environment and/or the surface of a livingsubject (e.g. human being or an animal) and the operative surface of amedical instrument or component thereof that is supposed to be placed incontact with or in close proximity to the surface of the subject. Theapparatus of the invention comprises a cover into which the operativesurface of the medical instrument such as a stethoscope can be insertedso as to prevent microorganisms, chemicals or other matter that mightreside on the surface of the instrument from making contact with thesubject.

In accordance with the invention there is provided an enclosure for amedical instrument having a detection mechanism for engagement with anexamination surface of a subject to be examined for a signal generatedby the subject, the enclosure comprising:

a pair of flexible sheets having a thickness that renders the sheetstransmissive to the signal generated by the subject,

the pair of sheets being arranged in parallel to each other and sealedalong opposing lateral sides extending longitudinally from a top end toa bottom end,

the top end being sealed and the bottom end being open such that thesheets form an enclosed bag having an enclosed interior and an openlongitudinal bottom end for insertion of the medical instrument into theenclosed interior, one of the sheets being longer longitudinally thanthe other of the two sheets such that the open bottom end has a flapextending from the one longer sheet to a long bottom edge that extendsbeyond a short bottom edge of the other sheet,

the pair of sheets being sealed together between the opposing lateralsides and the top and bottom ends along one or more seam lines that arearranged in a pattern that engage and hold the detection mechanism todefine a maximum distance of longitudinal insertion against traveltoward the top end when the detection mechanism is inserted through theenclosed interior and moved toward the top end within the interior asfar toward the top end as the detection mechanism can be moved.

The one or more seam lines are typically disposed between the sides ofthe bag in an arrangement that slidably engages the detection mechanismwhen the detection mechanism is inserted through the enclosed interiorand moved toward the top end.

The detection mechanism typically has a longest dimension of certaindistance, the seam lines being disposed between the sides of the bag amaximum distance apart from each other or from the sides of the bag,that is less than the distance of the longest dimension of the detectionmechanism such that the detection mechanism engages against and is heldby the seam lines.

The sealed top end is preferably attached along a line of perforationsto a manifold, the perforations enabling manual tearing away of the bagfrom the manifold. The seam lines can comprise a pair of separate linesformed as mirror images of each other around a longitudinal center ofthe enclosure. The seam lines are preferably arranged such that thedetection mechanism is routed between the seam lines on longitudinalmovement of the detection mechanism from the bottom end toward the topend of the enclosure.

The seam lines can form a generally triangular or conical space betweenthe seam lines within the interior of the enclosure. Such a triangularor conical space can be truncated at its top end.

The detection mechanism has a longest dimension of certain distance andthe seam lines can be separated apart from each other around the centerof the enclosure a minimum distance that is less than the certaindistance of the longest dimension of the detection mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided, a disposable bagfor maintaining sterility of a medical instrument, the instrumentcomprising a detection mechanism for engagement with an examinationsurface of a subject to be examined for a signal generated by thesubject through the examination surface, the detection mechanism havinga longest dimension of certain distance, the bag comprising:

A pair of flexible sheets comprised of a polymeric material, the sheetshaving a thickness through which the detection mechanism can sense thesignal generated by the subject when the detection mechanism is held inengagement against the examination surface with a sheets disposedbetween the detection mechanism and the examination surface,

the pair of sheets being arranged in parallel to each other and sealedalong opposing lateral sides extending longitudinally from a top end toa bottom end,

the top end being sealed and the bottom end being open such that thesheets form an enclosed an enclosed interior with an open longitudinalbottom end for insertion of the medical instrument through the bottomend into the enclosed interior, one of the sheets being longerlongitudinally than the other of the two sheets such that the openbottom end has a flap extending from the one longer sheet to a longbottom edge that extends beyond a short bottom edge of the other sheet,

the pair of sheets being sealed together between the opposing lateralsides and the top and bottom ends along one or more seam lines that arearranged in a pattern that engage and hold the detection mechanism todefine a maximum distance of longitudinal travel of the detectionmechanism toward the top end when the detection mechanism is insertedthrough the enclosed interior and moved toward the top end within theinterior as far toward the top end as the detection mechanism can bemoved longitudinally.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofexamining a subject having a selected examination surface, theexamination being conducted with a detection mechanism that senses asignal generated by the subject through the examination surface onengagement of the detection mechanism against the examination surface,the detection mechanism having a longest dimension of certain distance,the method comprising:

selecting a flexible polymeric sheet material that is transmissive tothe signal generated by the subject through the examination surface

forming an enclosure comprised of a pair of generally parallel arrangedsheets of the selected polymeric sheet material by sealing the sheetsalong opposing lateral sides of the sheets that extend longitudinallyfrom a top end to a bottom end of the enclosure,

sealing the top end of the sheets to form a sealed top end of theenclosure and an interior enclosed between the sealed lateral sides andthe sealed top end,

forming a longitudinal length of one of the sheets to be longer than alongitudinal length of the other of the sheets such that an open bottomend is formed having a flap that extends from the one longer sheet to abottom edge that extends longitudinally beyond a bottom edge of theother sheet,

forming one or more seam lines between the sheets arranged between thelateral sides in a pattern that enables the seam lines to engage andhold the detection mechanism to define a maximum distance oflongitudinal insertion against travel toward the top end when thedetection mechanism is inserted through the enclosed interior and movedtoward the top end within the interior as far toward the top end as thedetection mechanism can be moved;

inserting the detection mechanism through the open bottom end and movingthe detection mechanism longitudinally toward the top end;

manually engaging the detection mechanism inserted within the interioragainst the examination surface of the subject with a polymeric sheetbeing disposed between the examination surface and the detectionmechanism.

In such a method the detection mechanism is typically inserted throughthe open bottom end and fully inserted longitudinally within theinterior as far toward the top end as the detection mechanism can bemoved.

In such a method, multiple enclosures can be formed as a collection ofenclosures attached to a holding mechanism, each enclosure beingattached at its top end to a manifold by a series of perforations, theperforations enabling manual tearing away of an enclosure from anassociated manifold, the method preferably further comprising:

manually tearing away a first enclosure from an associated manifoldalong the perforations and performing an examination with a detectionmechanism inserted with the interior of the first torn away enclosure;

disposing the first torn away enclosure subsequent to the examination;and,

manually tearing away a second enclosure from an associated manifoldalong the perforations and performing an examination with the detectionmechanism inserted with the interior of the second torn away enclosure.

In such a method, the detection mechanism can have a longest dimensionhaving a certain distance and the seam lines can be disposed between thesides of the bag a maximum distance apart from each other or from thesides of the bag, that is less than the certain distance of the longestdimension of the detection mechanism such that the detection mechanismengages against and is held by the seam lines.

In such a method, the seam lines can be formed as a pair of separatelines formed as mirror images of each other around a longitudinal centerof the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an individual bag according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an individual bag according to theinvention showing a stethoscope received fully within the bag in anoperational position for use on a patient;

FIG. 3 is a side isometric view of a stack of successively mounted bagsaccording to the invention mounted or attached to a holder that arereadily detachable from a manifold or holder strip that isattached/connected to the holder;

FIG. 4 is a top schematic view showing a variety of alternative seamlines that could be used in forming a bag according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing ahook attached to the top flap of the bag.

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hook containing collar componentshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the flap portion of the FIG. 5device.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the flap portion of anotherembodiment of a bag according to the invention where a flap contains anadhesive.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a stethoscope inserted intothe FIG. 9 bag with the cable portion of the stethoscope adhered to theadhesive on the flap.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bag accordingto the invention having an adhesive disposed on an inner wall surface ofthe bag.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a stethoscope inserted intothe FIG. 11 bag with the cable portion of the stethoscope adhered to theadhesive.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bag accordingto the invention having an adhesive disposed on an upper corner portionof the inner wall surface of the bag.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing a stethoscope inserted intothe FIG. 13 bag with the cable portion of the stethoscope adhered to theadhesive.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bag accordingto the invention having a pair of flaps disposed on an inner wallsurface of the bag.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing a stethoscope inserted intothe FIG. 15 bag with the head of the stethoscope engaged by a flap.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the FIG. 15 bag.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the FIG. 16 bag with the stethoscope insertedinto the bag and engaged with the flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2 show an individual bag according to the invention comprisedof a first upper sheet 60 that is connected along side edges 52, 62 andalong a top seal strip 202 to an opposing parallel arranged bottom sheet50. Each bag is interconnected to a mounting or manifold strip 15 ofplastic along a relatively thin line 32 of polymeric material that has aseries of perforations 30 extending from one side edge 52 of theconnected sheets across the lateral width B of the bags 300 to the otheropposing side edge 62. The line 32 has a sufficient number ofperforations 30 such that an individual bag 10 can be readily detachedalong the line 32 of perforations 30 from the manifold or mounting strip15 by steadily pulling a bag downwardly DF away from the strip 15 byhand under relatively light manual force.

As shown in FIG. 1, each bag has a width B, a height E and seams 34, 36formed between the top and bottom sheets 50, 60 in an arrangement asshown for example to form a truncated triangle or V or cone at the topend of the interior volume 55, FIG. 1a , of the bags 10. The seams 34,36 that form the triangle or cone at the top enclosed end 40 of the bag10 (or other stethoscope head receiving configuration such as a curve),serve to slidably engage the circumferential edge 37 of the head 39 ofthe medical instrument (such as a stethoscope) when the stethoscope headis manually inserted into the interior 55 and pushed longitudinally LOupward within the interior 55 toward the closed end 40. On furtherpushing, urging of the head 39 toward the closed end 40, the circular 37head is slid along one or the other or both of the seams into a positionwhere the center C2 of the circle 37 is slid into approximate alignmentwith the lateral center C of the bag 10. The head 39 is thus stabilizedin position within the interior 55 of the bag 10 on and around thecircumference of the head 39. The head 39 is a device that is capable ofdetecting select signals, sounds, vibrations and the like generated by apatient's body such as in a stethoscope instrument 283 that has a cableor signal communication tube 280 interconnected between the sensing heador detector and the hear jacks 280 e of the instrument 280.

The width B and height E and arrangement of the seams 34, 36 areselected relative to the diameter D1 of the head 37 so that thecircumference 37 of the head 39 fits easily within the open end 70 ofthe distal-most end of a bag 10, and also fits readily within theinterior enclosed space 55 within the bags. The seams 34, 36 are alsoarranged in a configuration, such as the equilateral triangularconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, such that the diameter D1 head 39 of theinserted device is readily receivable between and by and engageable withthe seams 34, 36 and is also readily receivable within the space at thetop end of the bags that is formed by and between the seams 34, 36. Asshown in FIG. 1, in a typical embodiment, the width B is between about 3and 5 inches (e.g. 4 inches), the height E is between about 10 and 14inches (e.g. 12 inches), the distance A (height of the truncatedtriangle formed by seams 34, 36 is between about 3 and about 5 inches(e.g. about 4 inches). The seams 34, 36 are formed at the closed end ofthe bags 10. The height E is selected such that when the circumference37 of the head 39 is fully disposed within the space defined, borderedor enclosed by the seams 34, 36, a substantial length L of thecommunicating tube 280 component of the stethoscope is also enclosedwithin the interior 55 of the bag, typically from about 8 to about 15inches in length of communication tubing.

As shown in schematic in FIG. 4, the seam line or lines of a bag 10 acan comprise a single seam line 34 a disposed at an angle A relative tothe longitude of the bag 10 a, the seam line 34 a acting to capture andhold the head 39 of the instrument between the line 34 a and the side 62a. Alternatively the seam lines can comprise a pair of opposing seamlines 34 b, 36 b that are curved in part or curvilinear, the lines 34 a,36 a shown as being mirror images of each other around center line C.Also alternatively, the seam lines can comprise a line 36 c that iscurved or curvilinear which can capture the head 39 between the line 36c and the side or edge 52 a. In each embodiment, the head 39 of theinstrument has a longest dimension having a length D1 that is largerthan the distance G between the longitudinally top-most point of theseam line or lines and the next closest seam or seal or the seal side 52a or 62 a of the bag 10 a. In each embodiment, the seam line or lineshave at least a portion of their contour that is disposed at an angle ofbetween 1 and 89 degrees relative to the longitude of the bag such thatwhen the head 39 is moved manually in the longitudinal direction fromthe bottom 57 toward the top end 40 a the circumference 37 of theinstrument will slidably engage the angled portion of the seam lines andbe guided between the seam lines 34 b, 36 b or between a seam line 34 aor 34 c and a side 62 a, 52 a.

As can be readily imagined, one of the sealed sides or edges, 52, 62 ofa bag 10 is typically formed in the fabrication process by applicationof between between an upper 50 and lower 60 sheet, the other sealed sideor edge being formed by simply folding a single sheet of flexiblepolymeric material over onto itself.

As shown in FIG. 2, the perforated seam or separation line 32 is spacedslightly upstream beyond the top sealed edge 40 of the bag 10 by a topend seam 32 f such that when bag 10 is separated from bag 10 a, FIG. 2,the top edge 40 of bag 10 is fully sealed or closed along its top edge40 by a seam 202.

Because the two opposing sheets 50, 60 are typically adhered to eachother by electrostatic, moisture or other forces, sheet 50 is formed tohave a longer length than sheet 60, the two sheets 50, 60 being attachedto each other in an arrangement where the end 57 of sheet 50 extendslongitudinally beyond the end 61 of sheet 60 leaving a short-in-lengthend flap 59 to sheet 50 extending beyond the terminal edge 61 of sheet60. The flap 59 enables ready separation of the two sheets 50, 60 alongthe width B of the flap 59 by hand thus enabling the user to readilygrab/engage the flap 59 with two fingers and separate the bottom sheet50 from the top sheet 60 to create an aperture between the terminal edge61 and the terminal flap 57 readily enabling the medical instrument tobe quickly and easily inserted into the interior space 55 of theotherwise sealed bag.

FIG. 3 illustrates a collection of individual bags 300, each separatelycomprising a connector strip 15, closed end strip 202 and pair ofopposing sheets 50, 60, the multiplicity of bags being arranged in astacked format, one bag next to the other in parallel stacked sequentialarrangement. The stack of the plurality of bags 300 are all attached byconventional means to a holder 250 that is connected to the topconnector strips 15 of the bags 300. The connector or support 250 isprovided with a hanger mechanism 260 such that the can be mounted on ahook, nail or other supporting structure. Also as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, asmall aperture 17 is provided at about the center of the width of themanifold 15 and seam 202 for alternatively mounting the collection ofbags 300 on a nail or rod.

The apparatus is preferably provided to a user in the format of aplurality of bags that are attached to a common support, rail, hanger,bar or the like (hereinafter individually and collectively referred toas a “support”) and are separable from the support by pulling anindividual bag attached to the support with relatively minor manualpulling force away from the support. The system typically comprises asupport 250 to which is attached a series of flattened plastic bagsarranged in a sequentially stacked one-next-to-each-other arrangement.The last bag on the outside of the stack is arranged such that a closedor sealed end of the bag is tearably attached to a manifold or mount 15that is typically attached to a support 250 that holds the entire stacktogether as and in an arrangement as a stack. The sealed end 202 of anindividual bag 10 is readily detachably attached to the mount ormanifold portion of plastic material 15 via a series of perforations 30extending from one side 52 of a bag to another side 62 of the bag at theterminal edge 32 of the closed 202 end of a bag 10. When the lastoutside-most bag in the series of bags in the stack is torn away fromand detached from a manifold strip 15 of plastic, the next bag in thestack is immediately visually and manually accessible to be detachedfrom the next manifold portion of plastic in the stack in the samemanner that the previous outside-most bag had been detached.

Each bag 10 is held in a stationary position by virtue of themount/manifold portion 15 of the apparatus being attached or secured tothe support or holder 250 which itself is typically mounted via a handle260 or other equivalent mechanism to a stationary hook, nail, rod or thelike which is attached to a stationary structure such as a structuralwall or item of furniture or hospital equipment that is stationarilypositioned within a room where the bags 10 of the invention would benormally used by a health provider using the medical equipment to beinserted in a bag 10. With the entire stack of bags being stationarilysecured to a wall or other mount, the user can manually engage and exerta downward pulling force DF by hand on the sheets 50, 60 of anindividual bag 10 and effect a tearing away of a bag 10 along theperforations line/curve 32 to separate the sealed seam 202 and thus anentire bag from the mount/manifold 15.

Most preferably the series of bags in the stack 300 that are attached tothe support 250 are all constructed and arranged such that an apertureis disposed in about the lateral center or middle of the mount/manifold15.

Each bag in the stack typically comprises two generally square orrectangular sheets 50, 60 of thin flexible polymeric material that arearranged in parallel one on top of the other and sealably attached toeach other along their side edges 52, 62 and further attached to eachother along their top sealed edges via a widened seam 202. The bottomedges 57, 61 of the two sheets 50, 60 that comprise an individual bag 10are typically not sealed to each other thus forming an opening 70 alongthe bottom edge 61 of the square or rectangular assembly of the twoparallel sheets that are attached to each other along their top and sideedges.

One of the two parallel one-on-top-of-the-other sheets 50 is preferablylonger in length than the other of the two sheets 60 so that when thetop and side edges are sealed, the bottom end or edge 57 of one sheet 50extends beyond the bottom end or edge 61 of the other sheet 60 thusenabling a user of the bag to readily visually and manually locate andseparate the two sheets from each other at the bottom edge of the twosheets thus enabling the bag to be readily opened 70 such that themedical device 39 to be inserted through the opening 70 is facilitated.

Each individual bag 10 typically has a generally triangular or conicalconfiguration formed into the structure of the bag by a pair of mirrorimage seam lines 34, 36 arranged to form a truncated at-the-top triangleor cone within the interior 55 of the bag at the top closed end of thebag extending along longitudinal length A of the bag 10 such that when acircular head 37 of a stethoscope 39 is forcibly inserted completelywithin the interior 55 of a bag toward the top edge 40 of the bag 10,the circumference 37 of the stethoscope head having a diameter D1 islodged between the two seam lines 34, 36 that form the truncatedtriangular or conical interior top or closed end of the bag. As shown inFIG. 1, the apex of the triangle or V formed by the seams 34, 36 istypically not complete leaving a gap G between the top or terminal apexend of the angled seam lines 34, 36.

As shown, the distance G at the top longitudinal end of the truncated Vshaped seam lines 34, 36 is the minimum spaced apart distance betweenthe seam lines around the center C of the bag. The distance G is lessthan the distance or length D1 of the diameter of the instrument head 39which is the longest dimension of the instrument along any straight linesuch that the instrument head 39 cannot pass between the seam lines 34,36.

Once the stethoscope head is inserted within the interior 55 of a bag,the head 39 is moved from the open end 70 toward the closed end 40. Inthe course of inserting and moving the head 39 longitudinally LO towardthe closed end, the circumferential edges 37 engage on or the other orboth of the seams 34, 36. On further movement longitudinally LO towardthe top end 40, the head 39 eventually is positioned in the positionshown in FIG. 1 such that the circumference 37 of the head 39 engagesthe seam lines 34, 36 and guides and moves the center C2 of the headtoward the lateral center C of the bag. The angled orientation of the Vshaped seam lines relative to the longitude LO of the bag serves toslidably engage the circumferential edges 37 of the catheter head 39 andslidably guide the center of the circular or cylindrical head 39 into astable position along the latitude LAT of the bag that is inalignment/intersection with the lateral LAT center C of the bag 10. Theseam lines 34, 36 are seals or permanently fused portions of and betweenthe two sheets 60. Such seams 34, 36 are formed in a conventional mannervia application of heat to the outer surfaces of the sheets 60 whileengaged against each other, the heat being applied in localconcentration along the length of the desired contour of the line orlines 34, 36. Seam formation is typically carried out using a heat pressor other conventional process and apparatus for forming such seam lines.

Once the head 39 has been fully inserted longitudinally toward theclosed top end 40 of the bag 10 and positioned such that the center C2is in approximate alignment with the center C, the health provider oruser manually positions the head 39 such that a detection surface DS isplaced with pressure by manual force against a complementary surface ofa patient or subject to be examined, one of the sheets 50, 60 beingdisposed between the surface of the subject being examined and thedetection surface DS of the head 39. The sensitivity of the detectionsurface DS is high enough and sensitive enough and the thickness of thesheets 50, 60 are selected to be of such a degree or thickness to enablethe instrument head and detection surface DS to readily receive anddetect the desired information such as electrical signals, sound waves,heat or the like from the surface of the subject that the detectionsurface DS is capable of detecting and transmitting to through thecommunication tube 280 of the instrument.

Once the user has performed the measurement using the head 39 containedwithin the bag 10, the bag 10 that was just used to contain and coverthe operative surface DS of the instrument 39 is then removed, discardedand another new bag 10 from the stack 300 is torn off from the support250 for use with another new patient for another cycle of measurement bythe user. Each successive individual patient is thus ensured of notbeing contacted with the operative surface DS of the device but ratherby the outside surface of one or the other of the sheets 50, 60 of a newindividual bag 10 during each successively performed procedure.

In one embodiment the polymeric material comprising the bags comprises asheet of flexible material having a thickness of typically less thanabout 500 microns and more typically less than about 100 microns. Thesheet material itself typically comprises a woven or punch formedfabric, a paper material or a solid polymeric material comprised of oneor more polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or thelike.

The perforations provided along the attachment seams between a manifoldand the closed end of a bag are preferably configured to be of such asize and spaced apart from each other from side to side such that anindividual bag can be readily detached from a manifold strip of plasticmaterial by use of a normal pulling force using the hand and arm of ahuman being.

The geometrical area or shape of a sheet 50, 60 according to theinvention can have any one of an unlimited number of forms such assquare, rectangular, triangular, oval or egg-shaped.

FIGS. 5-8 show an embodiment of the invention where a hook device 47comprises a tubular mount 47 m having a hollow bore 47 c that iscomplementary in diameter to the diameter of the cable or signalcommunication tube 280 of the stethoscope 283 such that the mount 47fits snugly around the exterior surface 280 es of the cable 280. A hook47 h is attached to the outer surface of the mount 47 m, the hook havinga pointed end or puncture member 47 p for puncturing through the wall ofthe flap 59 of the bag 10 and thus attaching the cable 280 of theinstrument to the bag 10. As shown when the hook end 47 p is manuallyforced through the flap 59 the bag 10 is longitudinally held in arelatively stationary position relative to the detection or sensingmember 39 and the cable 280 such that the flexible bag 10 does notfreely move or collapse to the point where the sensing head 39 mightfall outside of the interior chamber 55 of the bag.

FIGS. 9, 10 show an embodiment of the invention where the inside surface59 is of the flap 59 has a layer of adhesive 300 attached to the surface59 is in a predetermined two-dimensional pattern such as a rectangle asshown in FIG. 9 that is large enough to readily engage and attach to aportion of the exterior surface 280 es of the cable 280. As shown theadhesive can be applied to the surface 59 is in any desired patternincluding a pattern shown in dashed lines 304 that extends substantiallythe entire lateral width W of the bag 10 that is transverse to thelongitude LO.

Preferably a thin sheet or film or strip 302 of flexible non-adhesivematerial is applied over the exposed surface of the adhesive layer 300,304 to protect the adhesive from attaching to or attracting extraneousmaterials. The film or strip 302 is provided with a readily manuallyaccessible end or tab 302 e that a user can readily manually engage andpull on to remove the cover 302 when it is ready to be adhered to thesurface 280 es of the cable or tube component 280 of the instrument 283.As shown when the adhesive is attached to the surface 280 es of thecable 280, the bag 10 is longitudinally held in a relatively stationaryposition relative to the detection or sensing member 39 and the cable280 such that the flexible bag 10 does not freely move or collapse tothe point where the sensing head 39 might fall outside of the interiorchamber 55 of the bag.

FIGS. 11, 12 show an embodiment where a layer of adhesive 300 a, 300 bis applied to either or both of two opposing inside surfaces 50 is, 60is of the two opposing sheets 50, 60 that form the bag 10. The adhesive300 a, 300 b is applied and disposed in a position and geometricalpattern such as a line or a rectangle as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 that ispositioned such that the inside surfaces 50 is, 60 is can be readilymanually separated along the areas where the adhesive 300 a, 300 b isapplied and the head 39 inserted into the chamber or enclosure 55longitudinally past the position of the adhesive 300 a, 300 b intoengagement with the seams 34, 36 as shown in FIG. 12. Once the head 39is inserted, the exterior surface 280 es of the cable 280 can bemanually engaged with one or the other or both of the adhesive layer 300a, 300 b thus attaching the cable 280 to the inside surfaces 50 is, 60is of one or both of the walls or sheets 50, 60 of the bag 10. Once thecable 280 is so attached to the adhesive 300 a or 300 b, the, the bag 10is longitudinally held in a relatively stationary position relative tothe detection or sensing member 39 and the cable 280 such that theflexible bag 10 does not freely move or collapse to the point where thesensing head 39 might fall outside of the interior chamber 55 of thebag.

FIGS. 13, 14 show an embodiment where a layer of adhesive 300 c isapplied in another geometrical patter in another position on one or theother or both of the inside surfaces 50 is, 60 is of the two opposingsheets 50, 60 that form the bag 10. As shown the adhesive layer 300 c isdisposed in a small rectangle at an upper corner of the open bottom endof the bag 10 such that the inside surfaces 50 is, 60 is can be readilymanually separated along the areas where the adhesive 300 c is appliedand the head 39 inserted into the chamber or enclosure 55 longitudinallypast the position of the adhesive 300 c into engagement with the seams34, 36 as shown in FIG. 12. Once the head 39 is inserted, the exteriorsurface 280 es of the cable 280 can be manually engaged with theadhesive layer 300 c thus attaching the cable 280 to one or the other ofthe inside surfaces 50 is, 60 is of one or both of the walls or sheets50, 60 of the bag 10. Once the cable 280 is so attached to the adhesive300 c, the bag 10 is longitudinally held in a relatively stationaryposition relative to the detection or sensing member 39 and the cable280 such that the flexible bag 10 does not freely move or collapse tothe point where the sensing head 39 might fall outside of the interiorchamber 55 of the bag.

FIGS. 15-18 show another embodiment where a pair of sheets or flaps 400,402 are attached via heat seals 400 s, 402 at their upper edges to theinterior surfaces 50 is, 60 is of the two opposing sheets 50, 60 of thebag 10. The flaps 400, 402 extend across the width W of the bag 10 andare unattached at their upstream edges 400 e, 402 e forming a one waynotch 400 n, 402 n that receives the lip 391 of the head 39 thuspreventing the head 39 from exiting the chamber 55. In this embodimentthere is provided a disposable bag 10 for maintaining sterility of amedical instrument, the instrument comprising an elongated cable 280 anda detection mechanism 39 for engagement with an examination surface of asubject to be examined for a signal generated by the subject through theexamination surface, the elongated cable being interconnected to thedetection mechanism at a proximal end of the cable for transmitting asignal generated by the detection mechanism to a distal end of the cablewherein the bag comprises:

a pair of flexible sheets comprised of a polymeric material, the sheetshaving a thickness through which the detection mechanism can sense thesignal generated by the subject when the detection mechanism is held inengagement against the examination surface with one of the sheetsdisposed between the detection mechanism and the examination surface,

the pair of sheets 50, 60 being arranged in parallel to each other andsealed along opposing lateral sides 52, 62 that extend longitudinally LOfrom a top end to a bottom end, the top end being sealed and the bottomend being open such that the sheets form an enclosed interior chamberwith an open longitudinal bottom end for insertion of the detectionmechanism into and longitudinally through the enclosed interior chambera selected insertion distance from the open bottom end toward the sealedtop end,

one or the other of the pair of sheets having a flap sheet sealed at anupper edge of the flap sheet across the width of one or the other orboth of the interior surfaces of the pair of sheets, the sealed flapsheets forming a notch that receives a circumferential edge of thedetection mechanism to prevent the detection mechanism from travellinglongitudinally downstream through the open bottom end of the bag.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended toillustrate and not limit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable bag for maintaining sterility of amedical instrument, the instrument comprising an elongated cable havinga cable length and a detection mechanism for engagement with anexamination surface of a subject to be examined for a signal generatedby the subject through the examination surface, the elongated cablebeing interconnected to the detection mechanism at a proximal end of thecable for transmitting a signal generated by the detection mechanism toa distal end of the cable, wherein the bag comprises: a pair of flexiblesheets comprised of a polymeric material, the sheets having a thicknessthrough which the detection mechanism can sense the signal generated bythe subject when the detection mechanism is held in engagement againstthe examination surface with one of the sheets disposed between thedetection mechanism and the examination surface, the pair of sheetsbeing arranged in parallel to each other and sealed along opposinglateral sides that extend longitudinally from a top end to a bottom end,the top end being sealed and the bottom end being open such that thesheets form an enclosed interior chamber with an open longitudinalbottom end for insertion of the detection mechanism into andlongitudinally through the enclosed interior chamber a selectedinsertion distance from the open bottom end toward the sealed top end,wherein the pair of sheets are sealed together between the opposinglateral sides and the top and bottom ends along one or more seam linesthat are arranged in a pattern that engage and hold the detectionmechanism to define the selected insertion distance of the detectionmechanism when the detection mechanism is inserted through the openbottom end longitudinally through the enclosed interior chamber towardthe top end as far as the detection mechanism can be movedlongitudinally, the one or more seam lines being resiliently stretchableor deformable such that forcible insertion or wedging of the detectionmechanism by application of normal manual force longitudinally into theinterior chamber into engagement with the one or more seam linesstretches or deforms the one or more seam lines to cause the one or moreseam lines to resiliently and frictionally, engage, grab or hold anouter or circumferential surface of the detection mechanism and to holdthe detection mechanism within the enclosed interior chamber, the baghaving a selected longitudinal length relative to the cable length suchthat upon insertion of the detection mechanism through the enclosedinterior chamber along the selected insertion distance, the cableextends longitudinally from the detection mechanism through the enclosedinterior chamber and further through the open bottom end to at least thelonger bottom edge of the one longer sheet.
 2. The bag of claim 1wherein one of the pair of sheets being longer longitudinally than theother of the pair sheets forming a flap that extends from the one longersheet to a longer bottom edge that extends longitudinally beyond ashorter bottom edge of the other of the pair of sheets, the flap havinga layer of adhesive material disposed on an interior surface of the flapin a selected two dimensional pattern and the cable has an outsidesurface that is adhesively attachable to the adhesive material, thelayer of adhesive material being disposed on the interior surface of theflap in an arrangement such that at least a portion of the outsidesurface of the cable that extends to at least the longer bottom edge ofthe one longer sheet of the bag is manually compressible against atleast a portion of the adhesive layer and adhesively attachable thereto.3. The bag of claim 2 wherein the flap has a lateral width, the adhesivematerial being disposed on the interior surface of the flap in anarrangement such that the adhesive material extends laterally along thelateral width of the flap.
 4. The bag of claim 2 wherein a thin sheet orstrip of non-adhesive material that is complementary to the selected twodimensional pattern is deposited over and adhered to the layer ofadhesive material, the thin sheet or strip being adapted to be readilypeeled off of the adhesive material by hand.
 5. The bag of claim 1wherein the flap is adapted such that on application of manual forcedirecting a puncture member of a hook connected to the cable against theinterior surface of the flap, the flap is readily punctured.
 6. The bagof claim 1 wherein the flap is adapted to be attached to at least aportion of the cable that extends from the detection mechanism to atleast the longer bottom edge such that the detection mechanism is heldwithin the enclosed interior chamber.
 7. The bag of claim 6 wherein theone or more seam lines are arranged in a pattern that engage and holdthe detection mechanism to define a maximum distance of longitudinalinsertion against travel toward the top end when the detection mechanismis inserted through the enclosed interior and moved toward the top endwithin the interior as far toward the top end as the detection mechanismcan be moved.
 8. The bag of claim 6 wherein the one or more seam linesare disposed between the sides of the bag in an arrangement thatslidably engages the detection mechanism when the detection mechanism isinserted through the enclosed interior and moved toward the top end. 9.The bag of claim 6 wherein the one or more seam lines are disposedbetween the sides of the bag a maximum distance apart from each other orfrom the sides of the bag, that is less than the distance of the longestdimension of the detection mechanism such that the detection mechanismengages against and is held by the one or more seam lines onlongitudinal insertion.
 10. The bag of claim 6 wherein the one or moreseam lines comprise a pair of separate lines formed as mirror images ofeach other around a longitudinal center of the enclosure, the separateseam lines being arranged such that the detection mechanism is routedbetween the seam separate lines on longitudinal movement of thedetection mechanism from the bottom end toward the top end.
 11. The bagof claim 10 wherein the one or more seam lines comprise seam lines thatform a generally triangular or conical space between the seam lineswithin the interior of the enclosure.
 12. The bag of claim 11 whereinthe triangular or conical space is truncated at its top end.
 13. The bagof claim 1 wherein the sealed top end is attached along a line ofperforations to a manifold, the perforations enabling manual tearingaway of the bag from the manifold.
 14. Method of examining a patientwith a medical instrument having a cable and detection mechanismaccording to claim 1 wherein the detection mechanism detects a selectedsignal generated by patient, the method comprising inserting thedetection mechanism in a bag according to claim 1, attaching the cord tothe layer of adhesive material and examining the patient with thedetection mechanism inserted in the bag.